The Trinity

The Bible’s teaching of the Trinity - There is but One God in three distinct Persons, is a glorious truth with deep importance.  As one example, an understanding of the three Persons of the trinity, shapes our view and practice of prayer.  While praying to and about the Trinity, the Valley of Vision remarks:

O Father, thou are enthroned to hear my prayers. O Jesus, thy hand is outstretched to take my petitions, O Holy Spirit, thou art willing to help my infirmities, to show me my need, to supply my words, to pray within me, to strengthen me that I faint not in supplication.  O Triune God, who commandeth the universe, thou hast commanded me to ask for those things that concern thy kingdom and my soul.

All Three Persons of the Trinity are engaged in our prayers.  See the Triune God’s willingness to commune with, encourage, aid, and direct us in prayer.   Linger with God in prayer today, using the thoughts of the above prayer as your guide

Guilt of Religious Privileges

In the Valley of Vision’s prayer entitled, ‘God the Source of All Good’ I was struck by these words:

‘I am often straying, often knowingly opposing thy authority, often abusing thy goodness; Much of my guilt arises from my religious privileges, my low estimation of them, my failure to use them to my advantage.’

According to the mortality tables, I’m beyond mid-life (though gladly I don’t feel that way).   I’ve been a believer for over three decades and an ordained pastor for nearly two decades.  What religious privileges I’ve had as a believer (prayer, God’s Word, worship, fellowship with believers, discipleship, God’s acts of providence, etc) and a pastor (seminary training, testing of the gifts God has given me, daily interaction with the people of God, daily preparation for sermons, small groups, bible studies, etc., witnessing the example of and working with godly men and women who have encouraged me in my faith.  Many others could be listed)! 

Yet, I’ve failed to use these wonderful privileges to my full advantage.  I still stray, oppose God’s authority, and abuse his bountiful goodness.  How easy it is to lose sight of ‘godliness with contentment is great gain,’ and long for more privileges when I haven’t fully used the ones God has already given.

May I bless God for the marvelous privileges He’s granted me and use them to my FULL advantage.  May my petition continue with the Valley of Visions:  “But I am not careless of thy favour or regardless of thy glory; Impress me deeply with a sense of thine omnipresence, that thou art about my path, my ways, my laying down, my end.”